States › Massachusetts › 1976
Massachusetts in 1976
Deaths 789Fatal crashes 699Per 100,000 —US deaths 45,523
FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 1976.
In 1976, 789 people died in 699 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll fell 9% from 864 in 1975 to 789 in 1976.
Massachusetts accounted for 1.7% of the 45,523 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
9.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
36% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1975 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1976 | Massachusetts 1975 | United States 1976 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 789 | 864 | 45,523 |
| Fatal crashes | 699 | 788 | 39,747 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 9% | 17% | 20% |
Counties in 1976
Every county with a fatal crash in 1976, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 13 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 135 | 148 | 8.9 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 90 | 105 | 11.9 | 533 |
| Norfolk County | 83 | 88 | 11.9 | 368 |
| Essex County | 77 | 84 | 10.2 | 332 |
| Hampden County | 57 | 73 | 15.7 | 418 |
| Plymouth County | 60 | 71 | 13.1 | 370 |
| Suffolk County | 67 | 68 | 8.6 | 271 |
| Bristol County | 49 | 54 | 9.2 | 429 |
| Barnstable County | 24 | 34 | 14.6 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 24 | 28 | 21.8 | 122 |
| Franklin County | 16 | 18 | 25.4 | 71 |
| Hampshire County | 16 | 17 | 10.3 | 84 |
| Nantucket County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.
Hour of day
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Massachusetts in 1976?
789 people in 699 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1976 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1976?
Middlesex County with 148 deaths in 135 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1976 compare with 1975 in Massachusetts?
789 deaths against 864 in 1975 (+-9%). Nationally the 1976 total was 45,523.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1976 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.